What are some good books, films, or websites about Nazi Germany BEFORE World War II?

Question

I've been wanting to write a fictional account of someone living during the 1930's in Germany, before the war started. I need to do some extensive research and I was wondering if anyone knew any good books, films, or websites on the subject. Thanks!

Answer 1

"Between Two Fires" by David Clay Large and almost anything by writer Barbara Tuchman.

"BTF" is actually an account of the interwar period between the two world wars split up into different nations in chronological order.

I'd also suggest "The Coming of the Third Reich" by Richard J. Evans.

Others:

*"From Dawn to Decadence" by Jaques Barzun
*"Europe" by Norman Davies
*Anything by William Shirer

Answer 2

Another "soft" history is a movie called "Swing Kids" that came out, oh, sometime in the early 90s, I think. It provides a good (and I think mostly accurate) portrayal of cultural censorship and pressure during the Nazi regime. It is also simply a good movie.

Answer 3

Try watching Cabaret. I know,it's a musical with Liza Minnelli,but it has some interesting political inferences that you may be interested in. The progression of Nazi influence is a subtle theme though out the movie.

Answer 4

on the onset of conflict in Europe, the U. S. had no troops to deliver everywhere. the U. S. military grew to become into tiny and unfold skinny. They did, although, provide vast logistic help, which incorporate rather some ships and airplanes that the U. S. protection tension might desire to very nicely have stored for themselves. Had the U. S. caught strictly to self-hobbies, those ships and planes might have been better used interior the build-up human beings forces. The German American Bund does not often be considered outstanding for the explanation that 1 / 4 of human beings on the time have been of German heritage, and it grew to become right into a private, not a central authority-backed, company. additionally, by utilising the onset of conflict, it had especially lots run its direction. for the final public of the conflict, the U. S. offered logistics and materiel for all the different countries. US industry grew to become into telling. the U. S. grew to become into under no circumstances waiting to administration the kind of floor troops it needed because of the fact its components had to be diverted to extra substantial purposes, ultimately surpassing the Royal army and RAF on a similar time as generating the nuts and bolts the two for his or her own forces and for his or her allies. watching troops on the floor is a short-sighted way of seeing conflict. procedures are large, yet wars are gained by utilising logistics.

Answer 5

I'd recommend the following movies by Leni Riefenstahl (Hitler's favorite director for his propaganda):

Olympia 1. Teil - Fest der Völker (1938)
... aka Olympia Part One: Festival of the Nations

Olympia 2. Teil - Fest der Schönheit (1938)
... aka Olympia Part Two: Festival of Beauty (International: English title: literal title)

Festliches Nürnberg (1937)

Triumph des Willens (1935)
... aka Triumph of the Will (USA)

Tag der Freiheit - Unsere Wehrmacht (1935)
... aka Day of Freedom (USA: video box title)

Sieg des Glaubens, Der (1933)
... aka Victory of the Faith (International: English title)

Answer 6

William Shirer wrote a sort of 'prequel' to his Rise and Fall; I can't remember the title off-hand, but that would be a good source for you as well.

Answer 7

here are some search results for"nazi germany before world war ii"

http://www.yabloog.com/nazi_germany_before_world_war_ii.html

Answer 8

the book - The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich